Late Ras Sheehama was my mentor and inspiration, says Mulenga
Former Namibian footballer and artist Salomo David Mulenga has described the late Ras Sheehama as his mentor, someone he looked up to during their more than three-decade-long friendship.
Speaking to Ewi lyaNooli at his residence in Oshikulu village, Oshikoto region, Mulenga said he was deeply shocked by Sheehama’s passing two weeks ago and at first could not believe the news, as they had communicated just five days before the incident.
Sheehama died on 5 September in Windhoek.
"I was shocked when I received the call. At first I did not believe it, but when I later saw more people calling me and seeing it on social media... it was not easy," Mulenga said.
He said he first met Sheehama in 1989 at Kwansa Sul in Angola.
Mulenga said at the time he was unwell, suffering from chronic malaria, but listening to one of Sheehama’s songs at a rally gave him hope, as its message was so powerful.
The two subsequently spent three years together in Congo.
Big legacy
They met again in 1991 at Golgotha in Windhoek, where Sheehama and other musicians used to gather and make music.
Mulenga said he often tagged along with Sheehama and his crew when they were booked to perform.
"After his gig, he would give us N$100 each just for upkeep since I was at university and life was tough," Mulenga said.
He added that Sheehama was one of the artists who motivated him to start playing the guitar and also the man who mentored him to stay focused in life and seize every opportunity.
"He was my mentor, and I will always remember him. He taught me a lot, and his legacy shall continue," Mulenga said.
During the interview, Mulenga, who has a studio at his home, played some of Sheehama\'s classic hits.
Mulenga was among those who attended the arrival of Sheehama\'s remains when they were flown from Windhoek to the Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport in Ondangwa.
He expressed his sincere condolences to the late Sheehama\'s family.
[email protected]
Speaking to Ewi lyaNooli at his residence in Oshikulu village, Oshikoto region, Mulenga said he was deeply shocked by Sheehama’s passing two weeks ago and at first could not believe the news, as they had communicated just five days before the incident.
Sheehama died on 5 September in Windhoek.
"I was shocked when I received the call. At first I did not believe it, but when I later saw more people calling me and seeing it on social media... it was not easy," Mulenga said.
He said he first met Sheehama in 1989 at Kwansa Sul in Angola.
Mulenga said at the time he was unwell, suffering from chronic malaria, but listening to one of Sheehama’s songs at a rally gave him hope, as its message was so powerful.
The two subsequently spent three years together in Congo.
Big legacy
They met again in 1991 at Golgotha in Windhoek, where Sheehama and other musicians used to gather and make music.
Mulenga said he often tagged along with Sheehama and his crew when they were booked to perform.
"After his gig, he would give us N$100 each just for upkeep since I was at university and life was tough," Mulenga said.
He added that Sheehama was one of the artists who motivated him to start playing the guitar and also the man who mentored him to stay focused in life and seize every opportunity.
"He was my mentor, and I will always remember him. He taught me a lot, and his legacy shall continue," Mulenga said.
During the interview, Mulenga, who has a studio at his home, played some of Sheehama\'s classic hits.
Mulenga was among those who attended the arrival of Sheehama\'s remains when they were flown from Windhoek to the Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport in Ondangwa.
He expressed his sincere condolences to the late Sheehama\'s family.
[email protected]
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